C Spire becomes presenting sponsor for MS Gulf Resort Classic

BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -

"Huge for the Gulf Coast," is how Roy Anderson, one of the board members of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, described the announcement that the tournament will continue to be played here in South Mississippi.

Thursday afternoon, in front a room packed with people at the George Ohr Museum, officials announced the tournament is coming back. They also told the assembled media, along with business and government officials, that for the first time the MGRC will have a presenting sponsor. That company will be C Spire Wireless, which actually started in Gulfport 25 years ago, and is still based in Mississippi.

C Spire Wireless is making a multi million dollar commitment to the Resort Classic, and will serve as the chief sponsor for the next three years. The company has been one of the consortium sponsors since the MGRC started four years ago.

"This tournament is ideal for us, and the tour is fan friendly and very community oriented. It also is responsible for giving a lot of money to various charitable causes," said Kevin Hankins, Chief Operating Officer of C Spire.

C Spire has sponsored many sporting events before, but this will be the largest financial commitment it has made to any event.

Tournament Director Steve Nieman said he was thrilled to have C Spire take the leadership role. Nieman also emphasized that this is much more than a golf tournament. He told the crowd this event adds to the roster of amenities the coast offers.

The 2014 edition of the MGRC will take place in late March, and will once again be played at the spectacular Fallen Oak Golf Course, owned by Biloxi's Beau Rivage.

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